CITY HUNTER (1993)

 

Written & Directed By: Jin Wong

Based on the Comic By: Tsukasa Hojo

Cast: Jackie Chan, Richard Norton, Gary Daniels, Joey Wang, Kumiko Goto, Ching My Yau, Leon Lai, Paul Sinn, Ken Lo, Tzui-Pin Wei 

A self-indulgent private investigator winds up on a cruise ship full of rich patrons, gorgeous women, murderous terrorists, and scarce food.

This film comes across more as a cartoon with the requisite sound effects and visual effects with over-the-top comic antics even fantasy sequences that at times are supposed to be sexy, but come across as silly.

As it is way more comedic than his usual films.

At least the camera barely stays still for any elongated scenes or pieces of time, though it outdoes shots for so-called style. 

The film feels like an indulgent 1980s fantasy film grounded in reality where the second half plays like the movie under siege, but there are plenty of comedic antics. In both parts

The problem with the film comes from the heart of the film, which is that Jackie Chan's character is a great detective who seems very clumsy, daydreams a lot, and always seems to be after sexy women. He is helping to take care of his partner's daughter. At first, it's like they have more of an uncle-niece relationship at times, it seems like she wants to make him jealous by going on vacation with a cousin so that it may be a romance on her part towards him, but he also seems to show a certain jealousy when other men are interested in her and this seems to be part of the romantic comedy elements were a force of the movie.

it’s made all the more inappropriate seeming as the girl he is taking care of looks like a teenager as well as the girl whose case he is working and he is noticeably older than both of them so seeing him try to romance them in certain scenes feels very uncomfortable.

The film feels more trashy than the star's usual fare. They will try to maintain innocence and say it’s all in good fun as it is a stupid comedy that’s more physical and less action and more stunts action. There is also more comedy and less stunt work.

There is no nudity but fixated on the female costar's cleavage and body, and finding funny things to do with them and come across more as character traits than an actual character.  As there are many scenes where he seems, the female characters are groped for comedic effect that comes across as a little bit more exploitative. 

It also makes life seem cheap. As there is tons of abuse towards women played off more as comedic. This is horrible especially when the Supporting female characters here are actually more fun and funny than the main actor.

The film is a screwball comedy without a good script. Even the villains henchman here seem to be wearing uniforms that look like costumes left over from V: THE MINISERIES.

Again, at the halfway point, this movie turns into Under Siege, the dyslexic version. The second half of the film is better than the first half.

This seems like a role less significant for Jackie Chan as it seems or feels like almost anyone could have played it because of physical and comedic skills were why he was called and offered him a chance to play an actual role outside of his usual persona. 

It’s fascinating how ridiculous this film is especially anytime. Visual effects are used that feel more like a live-action comic book. 

It has strange bits of humor like a scene that has a street fighter-themed fight with various characters playing the video game characters. Do video game antics and sound effects. That comes across more as a parody.

Grade: C